Elapsoidea loveridgei
Elapsoidea loveridgei, also known commonly as Loveridge's garter snake and the East African garter snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to East Africa. There are three recognized subspecies.
Etymology
The specific name, loveridgei, is in honor of herpetologist Arthur Loveridge.Description
Adults of Elapsoidea loveridgei usually have a total length of. However, it may attain a total length of. The tail is short, about 7.5% of the total length. The dorsal scales, which are smooth and glossy, are arranged in 13 rows at midbody. The coloration is black with light crossbands, which may be white, yellow, pink, or red.Geographic range
Elapsoidea loveridgei is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.Habitat
The preferred natural habitats of Elapsoidea loveridgei are woodland, savanna, and grassland, at altitudes of.Behavior
Elapsoidea loveridgei is terrestrial and nocturnal.Defensive behavior
If threatened, Elapsoidea loveridgei inflates and flattens its body, making the bright-colored crossbands more prominent. It may also raise the anterior half of the body and move it abruptly from side to side.Diet
Elapsoidea loveridgei preys upon small frogs, lizards, snakes, and mammals, and also eats reptile eggs.Reproduction
Elapsoidea loveridgei is oviparous.Venom
Elapsoidea loveridgei is venomous. In humans, its bite causes local pain and swelling, plus pain and swelling in the lymph nodes. There is no antivenom for species of the genus Elapsoidea, but no human fatalities have been recorded.Subspecies
The following three subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.- Elapsoidea loveridgei colleti
- Elapsoidea loveridgei loveridgei
- ''Elapsoidea loveridgei multicincta''